Susie Egr is the Director for Development at Tabitha. She came to Tabitha just 10 months ago. One of her jobs is to raise $750,000 for Tabitha's Meals on Wheels.
Tabitha Meals on Wheels began in 1967 as the first service of its kind in Lincoln, Nebraska. Today we serve a hot, noon meal to more than 500 clients daily, 365 days per year. Unlike many other Meals on Wheels programs around the country, Tabitha Meals on Wheels continues to say yes to all those needing this lifeline service, regardless of their circumstances or resources, and has not capped program numbers despite a 62 percent growth rate in the last 10 years. Access to proper nutrition is often one of the last factors allowing Seniors and those with disabilities to remain safely at home. Tabitha’s service provides an invaluable face-to-face safety check, as well, for many medically vulnerable individuals who may not see another person all day.
Sam has struggled to remain in his home. He lost his wife after 68 years of marriage and now faces his third battle with cancer. After several months of receiving Meals on Wheels, Sam called to cancel his meals. A few weeks later, Sam called Tabitha’s Meals on Wheels coordinator to request a meal for the next day. As Susie listened to Sam, she discovered he was losing weight and feeling ill. In tears, Sam told Susie he had stopped the meals because he could not afford to pay the daily cost for a meal. Through the support of Tabitha’s generous donors, Tabitha had the privilege of telling Sam we could continue providing for his needs, regardless of his financial constraints.
Many Seniors today want to stay independent, but struggle financially. They must decide what they need to pay for first, medicine, food, clothing, or whatever they feel they need. This happens about 1 out of 4 Senior citizens.
Susie has traveled every Meals on Wheels route in Lincoln. She was surprised how big Lincoln is and the many places she didn't even know that existed. There are about 800 volunteers, but since the COVID-19 many have opted not to continue volunteering to deliver meals. Also, COVID-19 has brought on an increase in the need for more meals for Seniors. The volunteers usually have the same route and may be the only face-to-face contact that her person sees all day. Volunteers get to know these people, their pets, children and/or grandchildren. They are almost like being part of the volunteers family.
Food provided by Tabitha Meals on Wheels is well-balanced, fresh, healthy and prepared by Tabitha’s nutrition department in a professional foodservice kitchen. Tabitha Meals on Wheels clients receive a nutritious meal, and families gain peace of mind knowing a volunteer is checking on their loved one with every meal delivery. Recipients pay for their meals either fully or at a reduced rate based on income/assets. Tabitha knows this service is important for individuals to live independently in their homes – that’s why we never turn anyone away solely because of financial constraints.
There are 45 weekly routes and 38 weekend routes in Lincoln. About 81% get a reduce or free meal. About 75% of these people make less than $15,000 per year and 54% make less than $12,000 per year. There has been a 62% increased need in the last 10 years. Tabitha's Meals on Wheels serves 500+ meals daily. This is also a safety check for these Seniors too.
Volunteers are made up of retired teachers, farmers, police officers, firefighters, nurses, factory workers just to name a few. Susie said that a Bible verse is placed with each meal. Sometimes that Bible Verse makes that persons day.
When you deliver Tabitha Meals on Wheels, you help Seniors and individuals with disabilities remain in their homes by providing a hot, nutritious meal and daily safety check. You can help daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly or as an on-call volunteer driver. Routes take about 60-90 minutes and begin around 10:45 a.m. There is no better way to serve our community and neighbors in need. We have several Lincoln East Rotarians who volunteer to deliver Meals on Wheels. If interested in volunteering go to Tabitha.org and sign up. They will do an orientation online with you, send you a 3-minute video to watch along with a Guide Book for you to review.